Conventional wisdom asserts that what is needed to ensure that water is allocated to its highest and best uses is for governments to “get out of the way” and allow markets to function efficiently. That approach doesn’t seem to be working well for New Mexico’s future, for reasons discussed below. How we govern our water becomes particularly critical in the context of looming disruptive impacts of climate change on our sources of supply. This essay proposes an alternative: to think of our water resource as a commons, and govern it accordingly.

The Water Trust Board is considering potential changes to its comprehensive Project Management Policies. In particular, Sections 2.5 Funding Match Obligation (page 7 of the attached Policies) and Section 3.8 Water System Technical Governance (page 13 of the attached Policies).

ISC document outlining "common technical platform" as basis for ensuring consistency among RWPs. Stresses importance of consistency in developing SWP to be able to prioritize projects for funding through the Water Trust Board.

This memo regards information relating to the 2014 Water Trust Board Application Cycle. This
information corresponds with the 2014 Sequence of Events, the Water Trust Board Application
Checklist and the Application Process.

Provides a framework for considering climate change in water management planning. Key decision considerations, resources, tools, and decision options are presented that will guide resource managers and planners as they develop means of adapting their programs to a changing climate.

Although many water management entities in New Mexico keep records and report on their performance [data needed here], inconsistent water measurement methods, definitions, and scoping boundaries make comparison difficult. Moreover, lack of context in water reporting (information on water policies and management objectives) undermines public understanding and usefulness of the information provided. Further, information about communities’ water related risks and vulnerabilities is not often reported, nor are quantitative management targets for many communities.

The purpose of the Jemez y Sangre Regional Water Plan is to assess the available supply of
clean, usable surface water and groundwater, to determine the present and future demand for
water, and to identify methods for meeting the projected demand through conservation,
management, and/or acquisition of water or water rights. The plan has been deliberated over,
reviewed, and completed through a process of public participation and technical evaluation.
After submission to and acceptance by the Interstate Stream Commission, it will be distributed
to public and private water managers so that they can consider and implement the various
alternatives as appropriate.

The Interstate Stream Commission’s Regional Water Planning Handbook was published in 1994. Since that time, all 16 regional water plans have been completed and accepted by the ISC. Planning has been a learning process, as are the various successes and failures at implementing the plans. This handbook for updating regional water plans provides guidance to local decision makers and water managers within the region.